DSA/support for ASD & Cambridge Uni

[FingersCrossedforCake]

Hi, my DS is hopefully starting at Cambridge in the autumn. He has a diagnosis of ASD and has been looking at DSA. He doesn't think it is relevant to his needs as he doesn't require a laptop, scribe etc. Looking at the university's disability website they seem to offer a mentoring programme which would be ideal - it doesn't look like this requires DSA. I suppose I am asking if anyone has experience of support for ASD at Cambridge and whether it's worth applying for DSA anyway? DS would benefit support getting used to university life, time management, anxiety skills. Thank you.

Hi, name change but I teach at Cambridge and we regularly support students with ASD. The university has a centralised Disability Resource Centre which assesses students and will help with support and statements of exam adjustments, any support required for study, and some grants for equipment if needed (and they will also liaise with the college, which will also have tutorial and pastoral support for students in his position).

I would suggest he contact the college Tutorial office and ask them about what’s available and how to go about getting a pre-term supper assessment from the DRC. I’m presuming you’re already looking at this, but if not the link is at:
www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/information-incoming-students

Even if he doesn’t initially think he needs anything, it takes very good idea to do an assessment with the DRC because they have a LOT of funding and resources available (eg. I’ve known them in the past to fund whole laptops for students, though resources may be a bit more straitened at the moment!) It might be that he doesn’t realise until he’s in Cam that support in a specific way might be very helpful.

The colleges all have disability provision and support via their Tutorial (non-academic) side, and each college JCR will also have a disabled students’ officer who can help with mentoring for students with ASD too.

Good luck to your DS for the start of the term!

Don’t know how that “supper” got in there! Pre term student assessment it meant to say!

No experience of Cambridge. But the support you describe for your son i.e. time management/anxiety would be funded through the DSA. For example, your son would be recommended X amount of time per week in the DSA needs assessment usually an hour or two hours to use as and when necessary. If I was you I would encourage him to apply and if possible go with him to the study needs assessment incase he says he doesn’t need any support. Cambridge should also have a Disability or support team that can also help you with support advice.

I just noticed that DRC link hasn’t been updated for this year yet, so the main one might be better: www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk

I’m afraid I don’t know about the DSA question, but the DRC might be the best place to ask direct - they will be able to advise and can be contacted with any questions.

So so helpful, thank you both for your replies. I will talk to him about applying for DSA and have a thorough look again at the website you linked to @alirudniamw Thank you again.

My DD has had an assessment for DSA due to ASD. You say your DS doesn't need a laptop, but we thought that as well because DDs laptop is only 2 years old. The assessor has recommended a new laptop because her existing one will be out of date by the end of her course at ucl (4 years). She is also getting various software to help her. They are providing a printer and an allowance for cartridges and paper as she works better with hard copies. Also study skills support and mentoring. It's definitely a good idea to apply for DSA. The assessor was brilliant, she was there to help, not to catch DD out. The assessment was done over zoom. They also make contact with the disability support at the uni so they know any requirements. Hope that helps.

Thank you @cutlerycollector that definitely helps. So many things to consider! We will look at DSA this afternoon. Hoping we haven't left it too late....

Hi FingersCrossedforCake!

My daughter was JCR President at her Cambridge college. She would echo what @alirudniamw has said about the JCR. They will have their own web site and Facebook page through which they can be contacted. Quite possibly a direct phone number, too.

I have DSA, suspected autism, confirmed dyslexia and other mental health issues. I didn't want the DSA laptop at all - but I did benefit from other stuff in terms of software - things like specialist dictionary add-ins for autocorrect that included long medical terminology (for my subject - there are others for things like law), text to speech software and the like - which just made like a bit easier for me.

I also get mental health support mentoring which is funded through it - I've found uni in the pandemic with constantly changing rules and systems to be incredibly hard to deal with, and I have study skills tutoring available if I need it (I've not really - it's a second degree, I'm good at academic writing and I'm fairly used to working around the dyslexic-wired bits in my brain). I also get things like sitting exams in a quiet smaller room than in a large exam hall which helps anxiety for me.

DS has ASD (and some other needs) and has just finished his first year at Cambridge.

He applied for DSA and a package was approved which included some software, a subsidised laptop (he did not own a laptop already) and a printer. He was offered 1:1 specialist mentoring but declined as he didn't think he'd need it.

His course has a high number of contact hours and a high workload, and I suspect that the time commitment of regular 1:1 mentoring might not have been worth the benefit for him. He gets 1:1 meetings with his tutor and Director of Studies each term already.

He did contact the disability services team and provide them with all the information and evidence, but has not heard much from them directly. His college have been quite helpful though, particularly regarding his need for quiet accommodation.

The first year has gone quite well for him, especially when you take into account all the challenges arising from the pandemic.

@JBX2013 I wouldn't have thought of the JCR so that is very handy, thank you. I am encouraged to hear about the available support.
@CoffeeWithCheese thank you for your advice and sharing your experience.
@Ironoaks DS will also (fingers crossed!) be starting a course with a high level of contact hours so interesting what you say about also fitting in mentoring!